Oregon Alliance for
Drug Endangered Children

Meth and Meth Labs

The form of methamphetamine currently sold and used in our community is a highly addictive and destructive drug.  Meth is made from a witch’s brew of cold medicine, household cleaners, flammable solvents, and corrosive acids.  Meth is also commonly know as “speed” or “crank.”  When purified, meth becomes a chunky crystal commonly known as “crystal meth,” “glass,” or “ice.”  Meth is typically smoked, injected, or snorted.  

A study in Riverside County, California, has shown what local law enforcement officials have long suspected:  70% of child neglect and abuse cases are related to meth.  Young children are often neglected and unattended for long periods of time by meth addicted parents.

Toxic waste from meth labs is often left in the house, or dumped in the backyard where kids play.  For every pound of meth cooked, 5 to 6 pounds of toxic chemical waste is produced.  Some of these poisonous chemicals include strong acids, solvents, and drain cleaners.  A study released in 2004 by the National Jewish Medical & Research Center in Denver, Colorado, confirms the extreme dangers posed to children through exposure to meth labs.

Meth addiction often leads parents to forego basic family needs, such as meals and hygiene.  Unimaginable filth and horrendous living conditions are commonplace for children living in a meth home.

Cooking meth poses extreme dangers of fire, explosion, and toxic gases.  Statistics reveal that about half of all meth lab fires had children present at or near the site.  Seeking care for children injured through exposure to a meth lab may be delayed or denied out of fear of arrest.

A two-year study in Benton and Linn Counties indicated that 44% of children removed from meth lab homes tested positive for meth.  The long-term ramifications of this exposure are just beginning to be studied.  Lack of pediatric, medical, and dental care is common in meth houses.

Some possible indicators that you may have a meth lab in your neighborhood:

· Strong chemical odors like acetone, ammonia, ether.

· Unusual amounts of activity in and out of a residence, or unusual late night activity.

· Paranoid or unusual behaviors.

· Unusual trash, such as lots of over-the-counter cold medicine containers, automotive fuel additives, camping fuel, starter fluid containers, drain cleaners, or red stained coffee filters.

· People bringing things to trade.

· Children unattended or neglected.

· Children regularly in dirty clothes.

· Unreported fires.

· Blackened out or covered windows.

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